Multiskilled workforce research shows productivity gains in construction

A nationwide research initiative has released the first major dataset documenting the impact of multiskilling on the U.S. construction industry. Funded by Associated Builders and Contractors and conducted by the Simplar Foundation alongside researchers from Arizona State University, the University of Kansas, and UNC Charlotte, the study examines how workers with certified capabilities in multiple trades affect productivity.

The findings indicate that multiskilled crews spend significantly more time on direct construction work and less time idle compared to single-trade crews. Specifically, the research showed that multiskilling increased the share of crew time spent advancing construction work by 39%. Additionally, a controlled trial demonstrated that reducing handoffs between different trades could cut project completion times by approximately 30% for certain work scopes.

The study suggests that rather than simply seeking more workers to address shortages, the industry can increase capacity by deploying existing qualified workers more effectively. Multiskilling allows professionals to retain a primary trade while gaining complementary credentials, which researchers noted can lead to higher earnings, increased job fulfillment, and improved production capacity by reducing mismatches between available labor and project needs.